This study found that most online COVID-19 information is written at or above a 10^th grade reading level, making it difficult for the average American to read and understand.

Most people turn to written information to understand what is occurring in times of crisis like the current pandemic. To decrease the risk of panic and to inform the public, COVID-19 messages must be written at a reading level that most Americans can read and understand, which according to experts is a 6^th grade level or lower. Unfortunately, most current messages are too difficult for the average American to read because they are written at a 10^th grade or higher. To keep the public fully informed and compliant with recommended preventive behaviors, messages must be communicated with easier content they can understand.